On Site: Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary

Images by DunnHillam

We’ve been working with Gunnedah Shire Council since we helped them develop a masterplan and concept designs for their Cultural Precinct in 2019. Our current project with them is a Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary on a damaged 35 hectare site which had had a past use as a gravel quarry. Stage 1 is complete, Stage 2 will be finished in November and the builders (David Payne Constructions) are starting on Stage 3 in October. When complete the Gunnedah Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary will have a large wildlife hospital, a 100 seat cafe, volunteers accommodation, camping facilities and a remediated bush landscape with animal enclosures for rehabilitation and education placed along an accessible wildlife walk.

The project succeeds (we think) by looking for value at every step of the process and every scale of the project. How do we site buildings sensibly and with an eye to efficient construction and operation? How can we get the most bang for the buck from the structural systems, the placement and size of windows, the entry sequence, the reception counter design? How do we make an exciting and welcoming precinct through clever siting, use of colour, sensitivity and respect for Country? How do apply our deep understanding of Gunnedah and its people to an architectural outcome?

We’ll keep you posted but we’re hoping the first koalas will be cared for in this facility next year!